Life & Work with Shara Wilson of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shara Wilson

Hi Shara, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Photography has always been a part of my life. Growing up I was always the one with a camera in hand, capturing moments. After my grandmother passed away, I inherited her film camera—something I kept to remember her by. For a while, it just sat on my mantle. Then one day, I decided to load some film into it and go for a photo walk. I had no idea what I was doing or how to use a film camera, but I played around with the ISO, f-stop, and shutter speed. I kept notes on each shot and the settings I used, so I’d have something to reference when I saw the exposures.

When I got the film developed, I was blown away. The images felt like a stamp of time, frozen in a way that was both captivating and nostalgic. That’s when I realized how cool film photography was as a medium for self-expression. So, I began shooting every day, capturing anything and everything. Photo walks became my therapy, and my camera became a constant companion.

Before long, people—both familiar faces and strangers—started asking me to photograph their events, portraits, and more. I created a pricing structure and just kept shooting, learning, and experimenting with new techniques and tools. I started collaborating with lighting techs to improve my understanding of lighting, took online classes, and relied on YouTube to master my camera’s functionality.

As I invested in digital cameras and better lenses, the quality of my work improved, and my photography journey really took off. What began as a simple idea grew into a full-fledged passion and a fulfilling career.

Additionally I pursued a Bachelor of Science degree from ISU in Graphic Communication, which led me to a job in the advertising world. I am a multi faceted creative. Working as a Digital Producer the organizational skills, time management and creative strategy I developed in my producer role seamlessly translate when managing my photography business. This allows me to thrive in both spaces. And use each aspect of myself to create financial gain, and expand my clientele.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Never has it been easy.

Life is full of ups and downs, and the effort you put into your craft really shapes who you become. Mistakes are key to growth, not setbacks. I’ve learned to embrace those moments of learning instead of fearing them. The idea of actively applying yourself, even when life gets tough, really resonates. It’s easy to get caught up in hoping things work out, but true progress comes from consistent, intentional work.

Struggles have been :

-when you are trying to find new ways to market yourself, or gain exposure to work in new spaces.
-work life balance
-funding the growth process vs managing the movement process
-getting new clientele

Ways I overcame my struggles:

-leveraging social media platforms or collaborating with other creators/brands to boost exposure. Sometimes, micro-influencers or niche communities can make a big difference in terms of visibility without requiring massive budgets.

-Finding that sweet spot between hustle and rest is a constant battle. It’s easy to feel like you need to be constantly grinding, but taking breaks and setting boundaries can actually lead to more sustainable success. Setting work hours or using tools to schedule time off has been beneficial for me. Prioritizing time for myself is key to avoiding burnout.

-Finding ways to generate income that also helps fund future growth. Looking into grants, small business loans, are ways to get that initial funding. Keeping multiple streams of income going is going to ease with the pressure of starting your business and help with managing other aspects of life while pursuing your passions. You do not have to struggle as an artist! That is a choice.

-Networking is key for exposure—online or in-person events can really open doors. Showcasing your work as much as possible via social platforms, constantly posting your booking link and even offering limited-time services to get people in the door as you continue to build.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a multi disciplinary artist having a keen eye for detail and a strong understanding of current industry trends, and collaborations, I bring to life visualizations. This is not just a photography business, it is a full scope visual, design and digital powerhouse, as well as creative direction for all digital experiences & enhancement. With a collaborative and inclusive leadership style, I inspire a team to think creatively and push boundaries, resulting in impactful work. I bring a unique perspective and passion to every project I take on.

I’m incredibly proud of the diverse skill set I’ve developed and the impact I’m making in the creative industry. I’m proud of my Portfolio, the clients I’ve connected with , having creative Impact/creative Direction and Vision and overall overcoming obstacles I once faced.

How do you define success?
Success is being at peace with where I am in life. Success is having a sense of happiness when I lay down at night and knowing I did my all within the day to apply myself and the talents God has given me. Success is feeling the energy of love all around me . Success is watching what I put into the world make a difference for the better.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sharawilson.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharizzi/

Image Credits
I took all of these images. You can credit Shara Wilson